14 DAY TRIAL // After the release of three RCs, Vector Linux can finally boast with its final version of Vector Linux 5.8. Vector 5.8 maintains the purpose behind all the previous versions, catering to the diverse needs of its user base. For this reason, Vector retains legacy drivers for different hardware and the forum actively supports users of equipment that would be considered outdated by today's standards.
Based on Slackware 11.0, it introduced once with the 5.8 Standard edition a new package format (LZMA instead of TGZ), which allowed developers to put more software on the setup CD.
Highlights:
- custom 2.6.20.3 SPM kernel, compiled with bootsplash, squashfs, Izma and real time patches - the NTFS reading and writing is now supported through fuse and ntfs-3g - KDE 3.5.6 desktop environment - Kmyfirewall, Amarok and OpenOffice.org 2.2 included - multimedia applications included (VLC 0.8.6a, Mplayer 1.0RC1, K3B-1.0.1) - supported HP printers through the hpijs drivers, plus gutenprint drivers for other popular printers;
There were a lot of bugfixes and improvements made for this final version providing a complete new look and fell. The default file manager can now install and uninstall most of the popular software packages, among which rpms, slps, debs, tgz or tlz. The security has been enhanced with a built-in firewall, port sentry, openssl and openssh. The laptop support, including pcmcia and apm, is also worth mentioning along with the VL-Hot program for automounting usb devices like pendrives and external drives. A lot of work has also been made on the install code for loading current or legacy nVidia and ATI drivers at install time.
VL 5.8 SOHO final aligns to all other previous VL versions, which have in common the standard installation of system administration applications: while VASM ('Vector Administrative and Services Menu) deals with the system configuration, slapt-get, with its GUI front-end Gslapt, handles the software installation and removal.